Camping just isn't the same without a camp fire :(

[Locut0s]

We've had one of the driest summers on record here in BC and sadly I just learned that they have, not surprisingly, instituted a camp fire ban on the west coast here, including Manning Park where I have booked by 5 day camping trip. Camping just isn't the same without a fire Oh well I'll still try to enjoy the time there. Maybe with luck it will pour rain for a few days and they will lift it. lol.

[love_katz]

1. We've finally had some drizzle and light rain here (western Oregon)...

maybe your area will get some also.

Our local weather service forecast office says July 2013 was the second driest month on record.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=562710817108420&set=a.197631116949727.48849.180545451991627&type=1&theater

Even without a campfire, camping can still be fun. I hope you have a great time!

[Locut0s]

4. Indeed driest month on record for us too. It IS raining!...

Lawns are all dry as hay around here. Haven't had a drop of rain all month, never seen anything quite this nice (in terms of sun).

BUT, just as I'm typing it's raining tonight for the first time! Though it will take a LOT more than this to cancel that kind of ban, like probably a week of rain. But I can hope! And I'll still enjoy the trip my best without it.

Thanks.

[Brother Buzz]

2. Camping without a fire can be an adventure

Campfires make you look into your camp; the fire becomes the center, the focus of your universe. There are a million things going on in the dark that get lost with the fire. Turn around and look out, listen, and enjoy the night.

[Locut0s]

3. Thanks, that so true about the fire...

I remember staring into the fire for hours. The fire is meditative Where I'm camping there's lots of wilderness but not around the camp site itself, as it's one of those gravel pad affairs with lots of others around. Still lots of trees and wilderness and I'm right on a lake so I'm not too worried, just pissed off short term I'll be doing a few long hikes in the wilderness to which aren't affected in any way and I'm looking forward to those.

[trof]

16. Wow. Very Zen. Nice.

[MiddleFingerMom]

5. Just as long as that 3-day downpour doesn't start on your 2nd day out.

.
.
.

.
.
.

[Locut0s]

6. That could very well happen...

LOL.

As love_katz said this has been the driest month on record for many on the west coast. We haven't had a drop of rain all of July and it sounds like the same in Oregon. But tonight it's started to finally rain. With my luck every single day of August will be rain now

[fizzgig]

7. not even in established fire pits?

i live in a tinder box and we've had fire bans for i don't know how many years now but are still allowed to use grills and pits at established campgrounds.

[Locut0s]

8. I don't believe so but I'll try to make a call tomorrow and see...

If so that's good news!

We've had lots of bans here to and I've always had a fire in a fire pit when camping. But I can't remember if the two have ever coincided. Where I'm going the fire would indeed be just in one of those established pits.

[Locut0s]

9. Yeah I think the ban covers those too...

This isn't BC but this site lists info in Alberta next door:

http://www.rockyview.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=788

"
Fire bans also apply to Recreational Fire Pits.
"

[fizzgig]

10. that's lousy

do you have a camp stove?

[Locut0s]

11. Yes I have a stove...

I'm not worried about being able to cook.

I agree it's lousy. One of the things I always enjoy about camping is the meditative experience of staring into the fire for hours. Reading a book by camp fire light. Playing around with the burnt embers in the pit. Etc etc.. It's always such a great part of the experience. But anyway I'll do my best without it. There's still lot's to experience up there. And who knows maybe the little drizzle we are finally getting now will last a week and they will cancel the ban

With my luck it will now poor rain for 5 weeks.

[trof]

17. "So we all sat around the camp stove, telling ghost stories...

And watching the hypnotic flicker of the tiny propane flames."

[laundry_queen]

12. Yep. Everything is usually banned here in Alberta

when a fire ban is going. Even well constructed recreational fire pits in your back yard that are miles away from any trees.....

I feel your pain - usually we have at least one fire ban during the camping season. I also feel like it's just not camping without a fire. It's totally like being in a trance for me...love every minute of it. And it keeps you warm. Without a fire we're usually asleep soon after dark.

Of course, a dry-enough-for-a-fire-ban camping weekend is better than a too-wet-to-start-a-campfire camping weekend.

[In_The_Wind]

13. May the rains fall upon the land only before your trip not during it.

[Locut0s]

22. Thanks for the "prayer" ITW! ;) I like that song, pretty. nt

[pipi_k]

14. Faced a similar

situation some years back with a ban on campfires due to drought...

One of the kids of a couple who were part of the group I was with was/is a technical whiz.

He rigged up the best fake campfire ever with yellow and orange lights and wood.

Except for that it didn't throw any heat (sort of a problem because it was pretty cool that weekend), it was a very good substitution for the real thing.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. There must be a "burning fire in the fireplace" app ...

... so you can sit around the laptop, drinking, telling fish stories, etc.

Have a good time, even with no fire!

[trof]

18. There ya go.

[Locut0s]

21. Hah lol, I'll make sure to bring an extra cell phone battery :P n/t

[ConcernedCanuk]

19. Here's one of mine for you

.
.
.

Feel welcome to snag it and make it ur wallpaper/desktop!



CC

[Locut0s]

20. You be evil...

[ConcernedCanuk]

23. Aw c'mon, really?

.
.
.

Do I LOOK evil?



Yep - that was me in 1954

Funny thing that

35 years later I was working for the Railway (CPRail)



CC

[Locut0s]

27. You're right you don't look evil at all...

Or do you?.... Hmm....

How did you like working for CPRail?

[MiddleFingerMom]

24. You're going camping mostly to enjoy yourself and part of that enjoyment...

.
.
.
... ESPECIALLY since this is a new experience for you... is testing your ability
to adapt to an "alien" environment.
.
No offense, but you're starting to sound like someone who loves zoos, but
is upset because the zebras won't be seen by the public during your
upcoming visit.
.
"It just won't be the same without those zebras."
"Yeah, it'll be alright... but it woulda been much better with some zebras."
"Yeah, I'll undoubtedly have fun, but I can't help thinking about how much
MORE fun it woulda been with them ol' zebras."
.
.
.
Just my opinion, but I think you need to start focusing more on the fun
things there WILL be about your adventure.
.
.
.
I know... I'd be major disappointed about "no campfire", too... but I'd
try to focus on an alternative.
.
Take a reclining lawn chair and a cooler of beer and stargaze.
.
Or course, maybe you stargaze a lot where you are now.
.
But you'll be stargazing WHILE YOU'RE CAMPING.
.
Less "f-u-u-u-c-k". More "WOO-HOO!!!"
.
If you want to distill MY philosophy down to it's non-divisible foundation --
there you have it.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

[Locut0s]

26. I agree I'm whining a bit :P...

Perfectionism is something I'm trying to overcome and it rears its head in almost everything I do I'm finding. You are right this is a new experience for me, doing it by myself at least, and I should have fun no mater what.

[EvilAL]

25. That sucks, but that's why I never camp at camp grounds/parks.

Easier to find a safe place to set up camp and have a small safe fire out in the middle of nowhere with no wardens or other people telling you what to do..
Have fun and like was mentioned upthread, just enjoy the sounds and darkness. A big spotlight is always fun, seeing the eyes reflecting from animals in the woods. some places don't let you bring big spotlights either, they say it 'disturbs the animals'.. bah!